Page 7 - Soccer360 Issue 107

STATS
HOST COUNTRY:
Germany
DATES:
June 14 - July 14
TEAMS:
24
VENUES:
10 in 10 Host Cities
CHAMPIONS:
Spain
RUNNERS-UP:
England
MATCHES PLAYED: 51
GOALS SCORED:
117 (2.29 per match)
ATTENDANCE:
2,681,288 (52,574 per match)
TOP GOAL SCORERS: Harry Kane G. Mikautadze Jamal Musiala Cody Gakpo Ivan Schranz Dani Olmo (3 Goals Each)
BEST PLAYER:
Rodri
BEST YOUNG PLAYER: Lamine Yamal
International football has always been the greatest showcase for the saying that individual talent only gets you so far, and the outcome
of Euro 2024 did little to dispel that notion. Right from the outset when they kicked off against Croatia in their opening match, Spain ticked all the boxes. Yes, they had the flair of the outstanding Nico Williams and prodigious teenager Lamine Yamal, plus the indomitable midfield presence of
Rodri, but from back to front La Roja were a fully functioning team in which every player slotted in seamlessly and fired on all possible cylinders.
They caught the eye immediately, putting three past the Croats and then putting in a dominant display to overcome defending champions Italy. That marked them out as the team to beat, especially with some of the other fancied sides yet to spark into life. And there were bigger tests to come. Hosts Germany pushed them all the way, only for Spain to show the mental fortitude
SOCCER360 5
ABOVE:
Rodrigo Cascante of Spain poses for photos with his trophy for best player during the UEFA EURO 2024
BELOW:
Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrating with his trophy of 2024 Euro winners during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England
ROLL OF HONOUR
Stephen Donovan lists the winners of the individual awards at Euro 2024, dominated by members of the winning team.
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT - RODRI
As his record for Manchester City will
testify, the influence Rodri has on a team is immeasurable. The 28-year-old’s powerhouse performances saw Spain dominate the midfield in all their games as he repelled opposition attacks and continually kept his team on the front foot by starting attacks. Even despite going off at half-time in the final through injury, his startling efficiency earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT - LAMINE YAMAL
Who else? The record shattering teenager broke new ground every time he took to the field and after his exploits for Barcelona in 2023-24, became an instant superstar over the course of this tournament. He was a livewire, tying for the most assists in a single European Championship, and capping it all off with a
way since on the way to glory. Real Madrid won the very first
Georgia won so many fans for their gutsy performances on the way to reaching the last 16, but they wouldn’t have got there without goalkeeper Mamardashvili. The Valencia stopper was in inspired form, making save after save to keep his side in contention, preventing 3.17 goals based on a measure
of expected goals on target. His total of 30 saves across the tournament was the second highest in Euros history.
COACH OF THE TOURNAMENT - LUIS DE LA FUENTE
He keeps a very low profile and was not the biggest name outside of Spain coming into the tournament, but the way Luis de la Fuente made La Roja the standout side in Germany was something to behold. His years of working with the national team’s age groups proved pivotal as he implemented a system that got the best out of every member of his squad and took them all the way.
GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT - MERT MULDUR (TURKEY VS GEORGIA)
The opening group F match between Turkey and Georgia had everything, including two magnificent goals. Arda Guler’s curler to make it 2-1 was special, but right-back Mert Muldur’s strike earlier in the game was even better, showing world class technique and making the sweetest of connections with a volley that flew high into the net from the edge of the box.
SAVE OF THE TOURNAMENT - MERT GUNOK (AUSTRIA VS TURKEY)
Turkey also produced the save of the tournament, as Mert Gunok remarkably turned Christoph Baumgartner’s powerful downward header around the post with just minutes remaining of their last 16 clash to secure a 2-1 victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
UEFA has
special goal against Francecionmteha elonsgemi-finals
GOALKEEPER OF THE TOURNAMENT - GIORGI
MAMARDASHVILI
Champions
League Cup in 1955